Unwarranted Cost Increase at Florida Springs

[amphipod06]

I wonder how many divers were paying the daily $15 fee and will now be paying the $4 fee. I wonder how this $11 per person decrease in revenue (more if it's multiple divers in a car) is going to affect the parks? At parks like Peacock where the divers greatly outnumber the non-divers, the number could be significant. Regardless of what one might think about whether we "deserve" the new fee structure or what, a sudden drop in revenue is certainly bound to attract attention. Just thinking in print

For a long time Peacock was one of the few self-funding parks based solely on the number of annual passes sold at the park by Janet. She encouraged all divers to get one, and who would refuse such convincing and enthusiastic park employee?

Although I am sure the new people are nice I do not think there is anyone quite like Janet.

Thanks to all who called and e-mailed the powers that be and brought this to a satisfactory conclusion. Scott and I will continue to support our park system with our annual passes, as we have for the last 10 years, and are looking forward to more adventures in them.

Dive safe,

Celia

[jeandiver]

Fred and I dove Manatee this morning (Friday) and the ranger there checked with someone (on his phone) and we had a little confusion in the beginning when I first got there. He wasn't sure about paying the dive fee , but found out from someone that it's business as usual. (Dive on annual pass).
So with a little nervousness at the beginning, everything turned out OK.

Thanks!
Beano

[RN]

I wonder how many divers were paying the daily $15 fee and will now be paying the $4 fee. I wonder how this $11 per person decrease in revenue (more if it's multiple divers in a car) is going to affect the parks? At parks like Peacock where the divers greatly outnumber the non-divers, the number could be significant. Regardless of what one might think about whether we "deserve" the new fee structure or what, a sudden drop in revenue is certainly bound to attract attention. Just thinking in print

My thoughts exactly!

That's what I was doing..... ($15.00 per day to the Iron Ranger).... I will check with the park HQ before my next visit.... Things may have changed yet again!

I've spoken by phone with one of the district park managers a couple of times this week about what's been going on. He has assured me both times he will contact me if anything changes. I will post, but I have a feeling if there are changes, it will be a while before it happens and there will be plenty of notice.

[slimshady]

Good morning and thank you for sharing your concerns regarding fees for scuba diving in Florida’s state parks. On behalf of the Florida Park Service, I offer a sincere apology for the confusion and frustration this has caused. I am pleased to say that after careful review and consideration of the dive community’s concerns, the Florida Park Service will immediately eliminate this fee. Diving in Florida’s state parks will be included in the day-use entrance fees and annual passes. It is our intent to provide affordable resource-based recreation opportunities for the citizens and visitors of Florida and we value your patronage. Again, thank you for bringing this to our attention. If you have any questions or additional concerns, please feel free to contact me via response to this email or you may contact the Florida Park Service directly at 850-245-2157.

Best regards,

Bonnie Hazleton, Director
Office of the Ombudsman & Public Services
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
850-245-2121

Edit: I hope I didn't mess up this post - Slüdge

[WEPIV]

Bonnie,

Thank you again!
Have a great 4th of July holiday.

Gene Page

[jeandiver]

Thank You Bonnie !!!!!

Thanks!
Jean

[Reddiver]

Good going to renew now. Thank you.

[slimshady]

oops. That's not directly from Bonnie. That's an email reply to me which I copied and posted.

Slim

[IowaCaveDiver]

I sent this letter to all provided state of florida contacts... hopefully many will do similarly...

"Dear State of Florida Representative,
As Florida residents, my family and I have been purchasing florida state parks passes for the past 9 years primarily for diving purposes. My wife and I are avid cave divers and our youngest earned his basic open water certification last year. The annual family pass has been very beneficial to our limited budget and allowed us to regularly visit such great destinations as Peacock Springs, Manatee Springs, Madison Blue, and many others. We are very saddened to learn that soon the annual parks pass will no longer allow enterance for diving purposes and we will incur an additional expense to dive. Florida State Parks are such a great resource for good outdoor family activities and it greatly saddens us to decided not to renew our pass and instead select destinations that will accomodate our limited funds. In our ever hurting national economic state, it is unfortunate that such great public resources are implying further restrictions to those who love, support and care for them.

Yours Truely,

Matthew B. Myers"

[RN]

The have retracted the fee increase, and in fact, even taken away the daily use diving fee. Now, diving is included in annual passes and daily passes. This was all established last Wednesday.